Seth Jones, shown here on the Portland Winterhawks, is considered the top prospect in the 2013 NHL draft. / Steve Dykes for USA TODAY Sports

by Kevin Allen, USA TODAY Sports

by Kevin Allen, USA TODAY Sports

The Florida Panthers are mathematically eliminated from the playoffs. But they own a three-point lead in the equally important Seth Jones sweepstakes.

Going into Tuesday's games they had the NHL's lowest point total of 32, but the Colorado Avalanche, Carolina Hurricanes, Calgary Flames, Tampa Bay Lightning and Nashville Predators were within six points of that total.

The number of competitors is important, because the consensus is four elite-level prospects are in the 2013 draft, led by American defenseman Jones.

"People have marveled at (the Minnesota Wild's) Jonas Brodin and (Boston Bruins') Dougie Hamilton and what they have done this season," NBC analyst Pierre McGuire said. "But Seth Jones is probably a step up on both of those players."

Jones, son of former NBA player Popeye Jones, played this season for Portland (Ore.) of the Western Hockey League.

"To me, he is as clear-cut as a No. 1 as you can be," former NHL general manager Craig Button said.

Although finishing 30th out of 30 teams won't guarantee the No. 1 pick because of the lottery system, the team finishing last has the best odds (25%) of landing Jones.

This season, every non-playoff team has a chance to pick No. 1 at the draft if it wins the lottery. In the past, a team could move up only four places.

This year's draft is projected to be deep in talent, but there seems to be a real advantage to getting in the top four and landing either Jones, Finnish league center Alexander Barkov or forwards Jonathan Drouin or Nathan MacKinnon from Halifax (Nova Scotia) of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.

"I think all four of them can play next year," Button said.

Each player would be a perfect fit for the teams near the bottom of the standings. The Predators desperately need scoring help, and the Avalanche, who have young centers Matt Duchene and Ryan O'Reilly, could use scoring winger Drouin.

Barkov or MacKinnon would fill a definite need in Calgary.

"The Flames are screaming for a No. 1 center," Button said. "They haven't had a No. 1 center since they traded Joe Nieuwendyk (in 1995)."

Florida also could use a young No. 1 center to mature alongside young Jonathan Huberdeau.

"Barkov is a complete two-way centerman," Button said. "Barkov reminds me of Ronnie Francis, and that's why I think he steps right into the league and starts contributing."

MacKinnon is an exceptional skater and scorer who plays center but could end up on the wing.

"He's a little bit like Jeremy Roenick," McGuire said. "He's a highflier, and he has skill. He can be physical. He's not afraid."

Button said Drouin reminded him of Mats Naslund and Yvan Cournoyer.

"Drouin is an elite thinker with elite skill, and he's a competitor," Button said.

But it's Jones who is drawing the rave reviews.

"He's the franchise defenseman every team is looking for," McGuire said. "His ability to one-time the puck is huge. He can really skate. He can log big minutes. He's not going to be intimidated."

Although Florida has the fewest points, Colorado has five games remaining and Florida has six. The Predators also can't be counted out because they have four games left and are mired in a seven-game losing streak.

It would be best for a team to get in the top three, because there is a 41% chance a team outside the top three will win the lottery. If a team has one of the three worst records, it is guaranteed to get one of those four players.

There is a possible consolation prize. Valeri Nichushkin, a 6-4 Russian winger, has generated plenty of buzz. The concern is he might choose to play in the Kontinental Hockey League for a lengthy period.